A state trooper began to follow 48-year-old Richard Saunders just before noon after spotting him on Adams Street, driving a black Dodge Caravan that had been reported stolen from Grava Chrysler in Medford.

The trooper began a slow-speed pursuit after Saunders refused to stop.

“Eventually the pursuit accelerated and the Caravan entered Morrissey Boulevard going the wrong way against traffic,” State Police spokesman David Procopio said in a statement.

“At that point we terminated the pursuit but continued attempting to monitor the vehicle’s path of travel. Reports indicated that the suspect vehicle continued from Morrissey to the rotary and then onto Route 93 going southbound in the northbound lane.”

The driver then caused a four-car crash on 93 North just before Freeport Street and then left the highway in the Neponset area.

A short time later, State and Boston Police found the minivan abandoned in Port Norfolk section of Dorchester.

“Troopers and officers found the suspect at approximately 12:15 p.m. hiding under a vehicle on Taylor Street,” Procopio said.

Saunders, who is from Reading, was taken into custody and brought to Boston Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Emergerncy medical technicians told police Saunders also appeared to be high on drugs.

“We believe he had a woman in the stolen Caravan with him. She has not yet been captured,” Procopio said.

“We have been in contact with Reading Police, who have a warrant for Saunders on additional, but similar, charges, including possible wrong way operation.”